Nuclear Medicine Technology
Why choose nuclear medicine technology at North Central College?
Nuclear medicine is an interdisciplinary field that combines chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, and computer technology to uniquely provide information about both the structure and function of virtually every major organ system within the body. It is this ability to characterize and quantify physiologic function which separates nuclear medicine from other imaging modalities. With the development of new radiopharmaceuticals, treatments and the exciting technology of PET/MRI, PET/CT and SPECT/CT hybrid imaging, the nuclear medicine field has grown significantly over the past years and is expected to grow even more in the future.
Daily tasks of a nuclear medicine technologist include: Prepare and administer radioactive chemical compounds known as radiopharmaceuticals; perform patient imaging procedures using sophisticated radiation-detecting instrumentation; perform computer processing and image enhancement functions; provide images, data analysis and patient information to the physician for diagnostic interpretation; prepare patients for imaging procedures and radioactive therapy; apply knowledge of radiation physics and safety regulations to radiation safety; and, utilize quality control techniques as part of the quality assurance program.
North Central College's degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology prepares students for a career as a nuclear medicine technologist through a 3+1 program with NM School of Nuclear Medicine Technology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Students spend three years at North Central College, where they complete their liberal arts general education core along with prerequisite science and math courses. This is followed by a 13-month program of study (35 credits) at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The student then graduates from North Central College with a degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology.
Admission to the final year of the program is based upon successful application to the NM School of Nuclear Medicine Technology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in January of junior year. Student applicants are considered and evaluated solely by the faculty/staff at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Student admission to the program is not guaranteed.
Students intending to major in Nuclear Medicine Technology must meet with the Pre-Professional Health Program Coordinator or the Chemistry Department Chair for the most recent information. Prerequisite courses and other requirements are subject to change.
You can also:
- Pursue research and lab work under the individualized guidance of North Central’s full-time science faculty.
- Gain clinical experience at a leading nuclear medicine school with the most advanced technological and diagnostic equipment available.
Nuclear Medicine Technology, B.S.
Nuclear medicine is an interdisciplinary field that combines chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics and computer technology to uniquely provide information about both the structure and function of virtually every major organ system within the body. It is this ability to characterize and quantify physiologic function which separates nuclear medicine from other imaging modalities. With the development of new radiopharmaceuticals, treatments and the exciting technology of PET/MRI, PET/CT and SPECT/CT hybrid imaging, the nuclear medicine field has grown significantly over the past years and is expected to grow even more in the future.
Daily tasks of a nuclear medicine technologist include: Prepare and administer radioactive chemical compounds known as radiopharmaceuticals; perform patient imaging procedures using sophisticated radiation-detecting instrumentation; perform computer processing and image enhancement functions; provide images, data analysis and patient information to the physician for diagnostic interpretation; prepare patients for imaging procedures and radioactive therapy; apply knowledge of radiation physics and safety regulations to radiation safety; and utilize quality control techniques as part of the quality assurance program.
North Central College's degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology prepares students for a career as a nuclear medicine technologist through a 3+1 program with NM School of Nuclear Medicine Technology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Students spend three years at North Central College, where they complete their liberal arts general education core along with prerequisite science and math courses. This is followed by a 13-month program of study (34 credits) at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The student then graduates from North Central College with a degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology.
Admission to the final year of the program is based upon successful application to the NM School of Nuclear Medicine Technology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in January of junior year. Student applicants are considered and evaluated solely by the faculty/staff at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Student admission to the program is not guaranteed.
Students intending to major in Nuclear Medicine Technology must meet with the Pre-Professional Health Program Coordinator or the Chemistry Department Chair for the most recent information. Prerequisite courses and other requirements are subject to change.
For more programs and courses in this department, see Chemistry and Physics.
Required Courses
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CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I
CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I
4.00 credit hours
A discussion of chemical principles through examples from the chemistry of carbon compounds and the molecules found in living systems. Major topics include atomic and electronic structure, ions, molecules, Lewis structures, VSEPR, hybridization, intermolecular forces, chromatography, equilibria, kinetics, stereochemistry and polymer chemistry. Laboratory required.
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CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II
CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II
4.00 credit hours
An introduction to chemical principles within the context of the environmental issues of fuel and energy, water treatment and acid rain. Major chemical topics include gas laws, aqueous reactions and solubility, equilibria, acid/base chemistry, buffers, thermochemistry, redox, electrochemistry and nuclear chemistry. Laboratory required.
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CHEM 251 - Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 251 - Organic Chemistry I
4.00 credit hours
Survey of the various classes of carbon compounds, with emphasis upon molecular structure, stereochemistry and mechanisms of Organic reactions. Techniques for isolating, purifying and characterizing organic compounds are learned in the laboratory. Laboratory required.
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CHEM 252 - Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 252 - Organic Chemistry II
4.00 credit hours
Continuation of
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BIOL 195 - Investigating Biology
BIOL 195 - Investigating Biology
4.00 credit hours
Students and faculty work as a team to conduct an authentic course-based undergraduate research project in an area of current importance. Course content is selected to support the research project and introduces students to concepts, techniques and skills of modern biology. Class activities move fluidly among lecture, laboratory, fieldwork, discussion and problem-solving modes. Gateway to the major.
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BIOL 201 - Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 201 - Anatomy and Physiology I
4.00 credit hours
Anatomy and Physiology is about how the body maintains life. Anatomy looks at the structure and organization of body parts; physiology explains their functions. Integration of structure and function allows understanding of what systems do and how. Beginning with cells and the grouping of cells into tissues and organs, groups of organs that function together form organ systems which maintain stable internal conditions. This course examines the integumentary, skeletal, muscle and digestive systems. Laboratory required; activities connect course concepts with experiential learning, using basic chemistry, tissue slides, human and cat skeletons, and cat dissection for muscle identification and function.
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BIOL 202 - Anatomy and Physiology II
BIOL 202 - Anatomy and Physiology II
4.00 credit hours
Anatomy and Physiology is about how the body maintains life. Anatomy looks at the structure and organization of body parts; physiology explains their functions. Integration of structure and function allows understanding of what systems do and how. This course continues the study of organ systems with nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and reproductive systems. Laboratory required; activities connect anatomical and physiological concepts with experiential learning by continuing cat dissection for the nervous, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, urinary and reproductive systems. All students will experience alteration of some physiological systems and homeostatic mechanisms designed to maintain a stable internal environment.
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BIOL 210 - Cells and Systems
BIOL 210 - Cells and Systems
4.00 credit hours
Structure and function of cells and applications to physiological systems of plants and animals. Topics include cell membranes, enzymes, energy metabolism, cell movement and cell communication and their roles in nerve and muscle function, photosynthesis, vascular transport, digestion, excretion and other systems. Laboratory required, includes investigative projects in protein and enzyme function, metabolism and signal transduction.
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BIOL 230 - Genes and Genomics
BIOL 230 - Genes and Genomics
4.00 credit hours
Genetic analysis and applications of genetics to the understanding of cellular processes. Investigation of classical Mendelian genetics and modern molecular genetics, including mechanisms of inheritance, DNA structure and function, genotyping and genomic analysis, mutation, epigenetics and gene regulation. Laboratory required, includes investigative projects in Drosophila genetics, gene cloning and human genotyping.
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PSYC 250 - Statistics
PSYC 250 - Statistics
4.00 credit hours
The methods, concepts and logic underlying the statistical evaluation of research data with an emphasis on "why" as well as "when" to use various statistical methods. Content includes descriptive and inferential statistics, estimation and hypothesis testing. Analyses include z and t tests, one-way and factorial ANOVA, correlation, regression and Chi square. Assignments focus on problem solving, technical writing and use of computer statistical packages (SPSS). Only one of
Advanced Courses at Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Upper-level coursework taken during the 13-month program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital includes 34 credit hours in courses such Management and Methods of Patient Care, Radiation Safety and Protection, Radiation Detection and Instrumentation, Radiation Physics and Instrumentation, Diagnostic Nuclear Imaging Clinical Practicum, Clinical Nuclear Medicine Procedures, Radionuclide Chemistry and Radiopharmacy, Radiation Biology, Clinical Correlation—Pathology and Computer Tomography and Cross Sectional Anatomy.
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MATH 151 - Calculus I
MATH 151 - Calculus I
4.00 credit hours
An exploration of the fundamental concepts of single-variable calculus including limits, continuity, differentiation and integration with applications.
Physics Sequence
One of the following sequences:
Non-Calculus
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PHYS 131 - Physics I (Non-Calculus)
PHYS 131 - Physics I (Non-Calculus)
4.00 credit hours
Kinematics, Newton's Laws, conservation laws, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. Laboratory required. Credit may be earned for only one of PHYS 131 and
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PHYS 132 - Physics II (Non-Calculus)
PHYS 132 - Physics II (Non-Calculus)
4.00 credit hours
Oscillations, waves, sound, electricity and magnetism, and optics. Laboratory required. Credit may be earned for only one of PHYS 132 and
Calculus-Based
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PHYS 161 - Physics I: Mechanics and Heat
PHYS 161 - Physics I: Mechanics and Heat
4.00 credit hours
Newton's Laws of motion, energy conservation, rotational motion, thermodynamics. Laboratory required, includes experimental physics and an introduction to computational modeling. Credit may be earned for only one of
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PHYS 162 - Physics II: Electromagnetism, Waves and Optics
PHYS 162 - Physics II: Electromagnetism, Waves and Optics
4.00 credit hours
Oscillations, waves, electricity, magnetism, optics. Laboratory required, includes experimental physics and computational modeling. Credit may be earned for only one of
Nuclear Medicine Technology Opportunities
A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.
Careers
Recent graduates in nuclear medicine technology include:
- Nuclear medicine technologist, OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, Rockford, IL
- Lead nuclear medicine technologist, Advanced Breast Imaging, Arlington Heights, IL
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